Symphony

It's Getting Closer

She had been like it for days, the pacing the constant rubbing of her bump, her attitude getting worse. Jack knew it was only a matter of days until she gave birth he had seen it many times over, he hated seeing her like this she looked so uncomfortable, he just wanted to take that pain away from her.

It was early on a Monday morning; Jack had woken to his alarm but his wife slept deeply beside him. It was the first proper sleep she had gotten in days. He watches Nikki for a moment she slept soundly her breathing giving away that she was deep in sleep.
Placing his hand on her protruding bump he rubs his thumb back and forth and smiles fondly, "Soon," Jack smiles.

Pulling himself from the warmth of his bed he walks over and peers out the window, a crisp January morning they were most definitely due snow once again. He quickly changes and then sets about making his sounds to wake his four daughters and prepare them for school and Nursery.
Jack couldn't quite still get over the fact he would be gaining another daughter soon, all his hopes and dreams of a son had flew out the window with what he thinks is his fifth daughter on her way.

"Daddy... why is Mummy asleep?" Maddison questions as she follows her father through to the youngest pairs room.
"She's tired Maddie. Leave her be and go brush your teeth with Poppy," Jack responds not wanting to get tied up in Maddison's constant questioning this early in the morning.

Maddison nods and walks off to the bathroom and joins her sister at the sink. Jack smirks as he hears Maddison telling Poppy not to wake their mother, Maddison always put a smile on Jack's face and as he learnt to adapt to life with a child who has moderate autism and Asperger's syndrome he found himself building a bond with her that was stronger than his other daughters, he naturally put this down to the other three being all about Nikki day and night.

But finally after months of waiting and seeing multiple paediatric doctors they got the diagnosis they were waiting for, officially down in writing over the last two months and finally Maddison's school kicked themselves into gear and got her the help and support she would need to receive the same outstanding education all her other siblings would receive.
This Asperger's diagnosis naturally causes Jack and Nikki to watch over Freya and Orla like hawks looking out for any tell-tale signs they may also have the disorder. But thankfully neither of them yet presented anything out of the ordinary.

Half an hour later Jack is stood in the kitchen just having finished feeding the four hungry girls, he had ended up doing Nikki's job this morning brushing all four of the girls' hairs and setting them in smart pony tales for school, he was no pro at this but Nikki had been hot to teach him basic pony-tails, pig tails and also a standard plait. "Daddy, will Mummy ever wake up? Is she like sleeping beauty?" Maddison questions which earns an eye roll from her older sister Poppy, who is sat beside her.

"No, the baby is just making her tired that's all Maddie," Jack smirks as he ties off the ponytail in Freya's hair and then helps the young girl attach her cochlear implants in, kissing her on the head he moves so she can see his face and says directly to her, "Go and get your shoes on," making sure he moves his mouth correctly so she understands.

Freya may only be four but she had grasped lip reading really well and was picking up the basic sign language too. He soon has all four girls ready to go and bundles them all into the car. He made sure Poppy, Maddison and Freya all got into school okay before taking Orla round to the nursery side of the school and seeing her in making sure she settled well before leaving.

Making his way back home he stops off the corner shop and grabs a bottle of milk and a few other essential items. Returning home, he makes himself a cup of coffee and cleans up the kitchen, he knew how much Nikki would appreciate the lay in and that all four of her daughters got off to school with no fuss.

Parenting four children had come at a price for the pair, especially for Nikki who reduced her working hours to make sure she was there for the girls after school, this meant in turn Jack also followed her lead but still made up for his reduced hours in on call time.

Sitting down at the breakfast bar after feeding Merlin and Milly the two cats, he unlocks his phone and reads through the news. A few minutes later he notices movement from the corner of his eye and turns his head to see Nikki waddling into the kitchen.

He couldn't help but notice how low her bump looked, there was definitely some kind of activity happening and he couldn't help but wonder when he'd be calling his Mum to come and watch the girls. "Where are the girls?" She mumbles.

"At school Nik, it's almost ten..." Jack smirks, baby brain was definitely a thing this pregnancy.
"Really? Why didn't you wake me? Did they all go off okay?" She breathes and rubs her face still tired from her heavy slumber.

Standing from the bar he turns and rests his hands on her shoulders, "They all went okay, Poppy went off to be with her friends in the playground, Maddison hesitated but Mrs Johnson soon ushered her inside, Freya was in her own little world and Orla went straight for the sand tray as soon as her coat was off," Jack smiles informing his wife and keeping her up to speed just how she liked it.

His hands soon came to rest on her bump, there was no feeling like it when he held her bump. "How's this wee one holding up?" Jack smiles.
"Hmm, I think they want out. I think it'll be soon; I've already had a few signs."

Nikki smiles at her husband and steals a kiss from him, "Why didn't you tell me?" He breathes raising an eyebrow at how calm his wife seemed about the situation.
"Because, I know I'm not ready yet. Didn't want you worrying your little head off," She smiles cupping his cheek briefly before stepping away and making herself a drink.

Jack watches her step away and shakes his head at her in complete shock, He had no idea how she was being so calm but then again she had done this four times previously. Deep down Jack worried about her the midwives had told her constantly how high risk she would be at this age now, he feared losing her if something went wrong or even losing them both he couldn't even come to think of the agony it would cause him.

She stands at the counter making herself some toast and a cup of tea, she cups her bump as she feels her stomach tense for the first time. She smiles shakily through a deep breath, "Mh-mmm," She lets out the tiniest of groans and suddenly Jack is at her side worry on his face.

"Nik?"
She bats him away and strokes her bump before continuing to make herself breakfast, "Shall I ring my Mum... ask her to get the girls later?" Jack presses.

"No, we can collect them."
"We? No... no way are you coming to the school with me" Jack protests.

Snapping her head in his direction she raises an eyebrow, "Err. No. I am fine, I want to come anyway exercise may bring on labour," She smiles.
"I don't want it happening away from hospital again," Jack admits not wanting a repeat of Freya who was born on the lounge floor.

Nikki rolls her eyes as she lets out a laugh, "These things happen, It's not like the baby will fall out of my vagina," She chuckles.
"You heard the midwife, your high risk... and have a history of fast births."

All Nikki could bring herself to do is roll her eyes at her husband, he did mean well but he was starting to annoy her now. "I'm going to the school, anyway I need to talk to Jessica's Mum about the party Poppy is attending next week," Nikki responds laying down the law.

"Fine, but you're just to do that, any discomfort you are sitting in the car... Oh and you'll have to sit on a bin liner in case your waters break," Jack speaks causing his wife to sigh heavily and simply roll her eyes.

By this point now she wanted to punch him in the face, "You're an arse..." She huffs as she finally sets about buttering her toast, once finished she walks off into the lounge to be away from Jack.